Diabetes Education

What is a Certified Diabetes Educator?

Certified Diabetes educators are educated and licensed healthcare professionals who possess distinctand specialized knowledge in diabetes self-management education. The credential demonstrates that theyhave mastered in depth knowledge and skills in the biological, social sciences, communication, counseling,and education to provide self-management education for those with, or at risk for diabetes. They canbe instrumental in helping people understand diabetes, learn to live with it, and develop skills thatwill empower them to make necessary changes in their lives.

Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic team approach to the treatment of diabetes

Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic offers a comprehensive Diabetes Education Program which is recognizedby the American Diabetes Association and focuses on self management training, medication adjustment,and long term follow up and support. NGDC’s continuity of care in diabetes management is comprehensiveand unique. We have two board certified endocrinologists, and four Certified Diabetes Educators. We usea collaborative approach in planning diabetes care. In addition to seeing one’s personal physician, youmay see one of our board certified Endocrinologists: Cacia Soares-Welch, MD, or Matthey Harris, MD orhave them consulted on one’s treatment plan. Our comprehensive team includes our two nurse practitionerswho are certified diabetes educators: Hyacinth Thomas, FNP-C, CDE, and Jennifer Roark, FNP-C, CDE. Ourcomprehensive diabetes education program is conducted by our diabetes educators: Mitzi Lovell, RN, CDE,and Amy Roark RD, LD, CDE who will help clients learn to effectively manage their diabetes. Appointmentsare both offered individually and in group sessions.

Diabetes Self-Management Education Services

Our classes are very interactive and include an initial assessment and four classes with quarterly follow-up’swhich follow the AADE7 (trademark needed) Self-Care Behaviors:

• Healthy eating
• Being active
• Monitoring
• Taking medication
• Problem solving
• Healthy coping
• Reducing risks
• Medication adjustments
• Quarterly follow up’s
• Immediate notification to physician of progress

Specialized Services

Pre-Diabetes Care

If you have been diagnosed, or at risk for Pre-Diabetes this program is for you. You will learn to makesome changes to your lifestyle for preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes, impacting the healthof your family, and improving their quality of life. This program includes group and individual sessions.

Insulin Pump Program

Intensive insulin management will often naturally progress to an insulin pump and possible continuousglucose monitoring. The service included in the insulin pump program included carbohydrate counting education,insulin pump selection, insulin pump training, adjustments to insulin regimen, and follow ups for additionaladjustments and advanced pump education.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

If you have erratic and difficult to control blood glucoses, CGMS offers an opportunity to be monitored24 hours per day for 3-5 days via an implantable sensor inserted in our office. The test allows for detectionsof lows and highs in those who may have lost their own ability to sense blood glucose swings. It alsoallows the endocrinologist and CDE to evaluate your current regimen and to decide how it needs to beadjusted or changed to improve your blood glucose control.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring for personal use

For clients who have lost the ability to sense lows and highs and have safety issues a personal continuousglucose monitoring system may be right choice. The physicians and educators will help select the device,take care of the paperwork, train client on new system, and make necessary adjustments for improved glucosecontrol.

Nutritional Counseling

A comprehensive nutrition program is available at NGDC through are registered dietitian (see Nutrition).Those services include: Individualized nutrition counseling, Resting Metabolic Rate testing (for thoseinterested in losing or gaining weight), Heart Healthy classes, Prednisone class, Chronic Kidney Classes,weight loss, wellness, sports nutrition, food allergies, GI disorders and more.

Your insurance often covers diabetes education and nutrition counseling.

To learn more about our services contact Diabetes & Nutrition services 770-297-4967.